The United Film Festival is a distinct division of United Films, Inc., which aims to unite time-honored wisdom and innovative perspective in order to create, curate, and connect modern independent films with a global audience.

The United Film Festival screens high-quality independent feature films, documentaries, and short films of all genres. And as a celebration of our love for the rich history of filmmaking, we always screen a variety of classic motion pictures that have helped to define this incredible industry.

In addition to our screenings, we frequently bring in legendary filmmakers and actors each year to be a part of the festivities. Our festivals are always exciting events filled with insightful Q&As, and provide many opportunities for networking and interaction between filmmakers and audiences alike.

United Films has always been committed to expanding its relationship with its filmmakers beyond the film festival. To this end, we have infused several key components into the heart of our company, which we believe will help us improve upon those relationships in very significant ways: A few of the components include:

*United Film Festival Screenwriting Contest

*Collaborative Partnerships

*Sales Representation/Distribution

Despite the festival’s history of success, Mr. Connell still experienced first hand a huge distribution gap in the industry for small budget independent movies. Confronting this reality, it became evident to Mr. Connell the United Film Festival could be an essential part of bridging this gap for independent filmmakers worldwide.

United Films aims to form a relationship with the filmmaker from the very moment they submit to our festival. It is our hope this early relationship will lead to the creation of a true partnership beyond our festival.

There are three specific opportunities that can come from forming an early relationship. One, we can partner with the filmmaker to become their SALES REPRESENTATIVE, helping them to garner much needed distribution for their film. Thus far, United Films has successfully represented over 60 independent films. Two, United Films is launching its very own digital distribution platform in 2013, via our UNITED CHANNEL. This means we can GUARANTEE DISTRIBUTION for the key films we acquire. And three, United Films has come to learn that forming early relationships with filmmakers will often lead to creating JOINT PROJECTS with those filmmakers in the future.

By bridging the distribution gap and connecting with our ever-growing network of filmmakers, we hope this festival is an experience that unites creative energy and talent with the celebration of true success!

We are honored to be showcasing “Your Friends Close.” An ensemble sci-fi-drama that takes place over the course of one evening at a party thrown by a husband-and-wife video game design team. When a betrayal thrusts the party goers into a competition that puts everyone’s careers on the line, each person must choose who they are willing to lose in order to win. Directed by Jocelyn Kelvin. This will be premiering at the United Film Festival Los Angeles on April 27 at 9:30pm.

Purchase your tickets for “Your Friends Close” here!

We hope to see you at the United Film Festival starting this Friday, April 26!

-United Film Festival

Each year the United Film Festival celebrates legendary filmmakers that have made a difference in this industry. This year John Landis will be honored at the United Film Festival in Los Angeles as the 2013 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Beginning his career as a mailroom attendant for 20th Century Fox, he eventually made his way to Yugoslavia to work as a PA for Kelly’s Heroes. Once production ended, Landis decided to remain in Europe finding employment as an actor, an extra and even a stuntman in numerous Spanish/Italian westerns. Upon returning to the USA, he started production on his debut feature, Schlock, which he also starred in as well. He then directed The Kentucky Fried Movie before rising to international stardom as director of the famous, Animal House. His resume also includes blockbusters such as The Blue Brothers, An American Werewolf in London, Three Amigos!, and Coming to America. Even though he is a renowned movie director, he also directed what was awarded the Greatest Video in the History of the World, Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The video forever changed MTV and the concept of music videos. Landis has also directed various documentaries such as Slasher for IFC, and Mr Warmth for HBO. Mr Warmth went on to win an Emmy in 2008!

Please join us in celebrating John Landis’ legendary career on Thursday, May 2nd at 7:30pm with a handprint ceremony and award presentation in front of the historic Vista Theater. Then prior to the screening of Animal House, Landis will join the audience in a discussion about the film and his illustrious career.

Buy your tickets to participate in this event and see the classic film, Animal House, on the big screen here!

We hope to see you there!

-United Film Festival

Revamping our system, we have removed the components of Single City Submissions and Film Feedback, and are now offering a brand new way of joining our festival!

By submitting to the United Film Festival for a SINGLE FEE, filmmakers will be eligible for acceptance into all 6 cities the festival plays over the course of the calendar year – LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK, LONDON, SAN FRANCISCO, CHICAGO, and TULSA.

The fees are $120 for feature films and $60 for short films. This breaks down to an OVERALL GREAT VALUE of $20 per festival for feature films, and $10 per festival for short films. Beyond our festival, United Films will also be considering each submitted film for SALES REPRESENTATION and DISTRIBUTION.

The festival includes this new comedic feature, Congratulations. A story about JIM and BRIDGET are on a road trip to visit Jim’s mother on the anniversary of his father’s death. Along the way, Jim proposes and Bridget says no. When they arrive at his mother’s house, she showers them with congratulations. Caught up in the moment, they pretend to be engaged for the weekend, and find that the question of marriage may tear them apart. For more info, www.congratulationsfilm.com and also follow the film on Facebook

For the full schedule and lineup for the Los Angeles Film Festival, click here!!

Just a few of our favorite moments? We were so excited to honor Mark Rydell and Dabney Coleman with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Los Angeles to kick off the season. In New York and London, we were treated to spectacular Q&As (such as the moving and inspiring Tonier Cain during our screening of Healing Neen.)

We had people spilling out of the theatre in San Francisco to see films like Of Two Minds, We’re Getting On, and Crocodile in the Yangtze. We had a scary surprise when we packed the house for a midnight screening of The Craft in Chicago! And finally, returning to where it all began, we received a warm welcome in Tulsa (check out just one of our morning show appearances here!)

This year could not have been possible without the support of our amazing venues: Los Feliz 3 Cinemas in Los Angeles, Cobble Hill Cinemas in New York, Roxy Bar & Screen in London, Roxie Theatre in San Francisco, Music Box Theater in Chicago, and Circle Cinema in Tulsa.

We also owe so much to our amazing programming committees, who work year round to make sure we haven’t overlooked any promising film or filmmakers, as well as the incredible volunteer staff at each event, without which we definitely could not run our festivals.

Thanks to everyone who submitted and came out to support us this season. We can’t wait to see what 2013 holds in store!

Check out the Chicago Schedule to watch trailers for the films and buy your tickets!

We couldn’t be prouder of this week’s lineup, kicking off tonight with Fight Life and It’s in the Blood!

Here’s a collection of some of the great press we’ve getting in our home-away-from-home, the city by the bay!

United Film Festival Tackles Tough Truths – SF Examiner

“Of Two Minds” Puts a Face on Bipolar Disorder – SF Gate

We’re Getting On: The Triumphs and Perils of a 2,000-Mile Bike Book Tour – SF Weekly

Donut Mess with Crazy: San Jose Donut Shop Featured in Mental Health Documentary – SF Weekly

United Film Festival: Born of Rejection – HotelTravel.com

Tell us what your favorites are when you come out this week to what is sure to be the best United Film Festival – San Francisco yet!

With an amazing script and an incredible cast, this film is a fantastic addition to the San Francisco lineup. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Jess Weixler, and Jason Ritter, this is one star studded independent feature you will not want to miss.

Watch the trailer for the movie on the film page and don’t forget to buy your tickets for the screening on September 1st at 9:30pm!